Crankworx 2018: Skyline Rotorua events, free locals days and Kidsworx begin

The first Crankworx events at Skyline Rotorua have begun for 2018.

The nine days of action are the first stop on the Crankworx World Tour, and this year is the fourth year the tour has come to Rotorua.

For Day 5 the hub of mountain bike activity moved from Whakarewarewa Forest to Mt Ngongotaha for the Professionals Rotorua National Schools Downhill Championships and the Crankworx Rotorua Air Downhill competition.

Blake, 5, and Levi, 7, Far at Kidsworx. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua residents have free entry to both Day 5 and Day 6 with proof of ID and address.

Today was the first day of Kidsworx.

The children's activities involved treasure hunts, bike cleaning and decorating, and a track with jumps for kids to ride with either their own bike or a demo one provided at the event.

Cambridge siblings Isaac Downey, 3, and Lily Downey, 6, were surprised by their parents today and got the day off to go to Crankworx.

Lily Downey, 6, makes the most of Tamariki Track at Kidsworx. Photo/Ben Fraser

Their mother Suzy said the family had been every year since Crankworx arrived in Rotorua four years ago.

"It is great to see that it has got a lot bigger since then. In the first year, we did not even know about it until we saw it on GrabOne."

Her daughter Lily had been biking for three years.

Lily said her favourite thing about Kidsworx was going over the bumps and the seesaw.

"I have fallen off a lot but it has not put me off. It is still exciting."

Rotorua residents Barbara Jenks and Deborah Jolly have also come to Crankworx every year so far to volunteer at Kidsworx.

Cooper Coleman, 1, enjoys the track. Photo/Ben Fraser

Jolly said they had a "pretty busy start" to Kidsworx.

"The average age is about 5 years old. It is amazing to see the kids' skills and confidence develop as the day goes on, or when we see them come back in a different year. Some are only two and a half when they first have a go on the track here."

Crankworx
Where: Skyline Gravity Park
What: Final five days of Crankworx
Cost: Locals free for March 21-22 with proof of ID and address, otherwise family tickets are $160, adults $75 and kids $35